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Sexually transmitted diseases: risks, transmission, and laboratory diagnostic update
1College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa.
Summary
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) remain a significant public health concern, with rising incidence despite prevention efforts. This article reviews common STDs in the U.S., including those caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) represent a major public health challenge.
- Historical context reveals shifts in public attitudes impacting STD incidence.
- Despite health education and safe sex promotion, STD rates continue to increase.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the United States.
- To highlight the causative agents of prevalent STDs.
- To underscore the complexities in STD infection control due to asymptomatic cases.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of common STDs in the U.S.
- Focus on causative organisms: Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Herpes simplex virus, Chlamydia trachomatis, Treponema pallidum, Haemophilus ducreyi, and Hepatitis B virus.
- Discussion limited to prevalent infections.
Main Results:
- Common STDs in the U.S. are caused by specific bacterial and viral pathogens.
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Herpes simplex virus, Chlamydia trachomatis, Treponema pallidum, Haemophilus ducreyi, and Hepatitis B virus are key agents.
- Asymptomatic infections complicate disease control efforts.
Conclusions:
- STDs remain a critical public health issue in the United States.
- Effective infection control is hampered by the frequent lack of symptoms.
- Understanding common causative agents is vital for public health strategies.